Dozens of Vehicles Torched in Land Conflict in Tebingtinggi, North Sumatra

Dozens of motorcycles and a truck were set ablaze during a land conflict between residents and PT Bridgestone in Blocks K8 and K9, Nagur Pane Village, Sipispis District, Serdangbedagai Regency, North Sumatra. The Head of Public Relations for the Tebingtinggi Police, Iptu Mulyono, stated that police were providing security for land clearing activities conducted by PT Bridgestone on Thursday (25/6). ‘The security operation involved hundreds of personnel from the Tebingtinggi Police and the North Sumatra Police Mobile Brigade Unit,’ he said on Friday (26/6). The land clearing by PT Bridgestone was met with resistance from a community group claiming to be descendants of Raja Nagur Bolag Nagur Raja. Following the resistance, the company and security personnel withdrew from the location to avoid casualties. ‘Subsequently, there was destruction and burning of several vehicles belonging to the company and its employees, including one truck and dozens of motorcycles,’ he stated. Additionally, one employee was reported injured during the clash at the site. The Tebingtinggi Police had previously urged the company to exercise restraint and not carry out unilateral land clearing to prevent physical clashes or loss of life. ‘However, the land clearing activity was still carried out by the company. Police personnel are currently continuing to monitor and consolidate efforts to maintain a conducive security and public order situation,’ he explained.